Forte Trio Boys harmonize for ‘Joy’ of holiday track

are only in seventh grade, but they hold their own against the more experienced musicians on “Holiday Wishes 3,” a CD to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Reed Gnepper, Henry Seifried and George Mancy have known each other since kindergarten. They all took voice lessons separately with Jim Stanton, owner of Forte School of Music and the Arts. Stanton grouped them together as a trio and they have been singing together for about a year and a half.

On “Holiday Wishes 3,” the boys perform “Joy Medley” — a combination of “Joy to the World” and “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” arranged by Stanton.

The boys think their three-part harmonies make their track stand out.

“There’s all these different things going on at once,” Gnepper said.

The Forte Trio Boys are accompanied by Stanton for their song. They said it only took them one take to record the song, even though it was their first time in a recording studio.

Gnepper’s mother Colleen said the boys performed at ProMedica Toledo Children’s Hospital last year at Christmastime.

“They were taken by their environment,” she said.

The boys enjoyed bringing joy to sick children, so when they heard about the Make-A-Wish CD project, they saw it as an opportunity to help more children and wanted to be a part of it.

“We want to give the gift of our singing, and we hope they enjoy it and always encourage us on the way,” Seifried said.

Mancy said he wants anyone considering buying the CD to remember that it is for a good cause. And Gnepper added that they can listen to good music while supporting Make-A-Wish.

The Forte Trio Boys have a busy schedule coming up. They will perform the National Anthem at a University of Toledo basketball game and a Toledo Walleye game, and they’ll be performing at The Toledo Club’s Christmas tree unveiling Dec. 3.